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American Crocodile

American Crocodile line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

American Crocodile full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The American Crocodile was completed on 1.24.2011. Some time ago, I noticed I had never drawn a large crocodilian (I had completed drawing of alligators however.) So I decided to draw three of the best known; American, Nile and Saltwater Crocs. They are challenging to render, but also a lot of fun too. I had seen American Crocs in the wild in Costa Rica and marveled at their size compared to their smaller relative the alligators I had seen in Florida. The drawing is based on a photo by Charlie Charlton.

Information about the American Crocodile:

The American Crocodile is a large, carnivorous reptile native to the swamps, streams and other waterways of the Neotropics. Of the four living species of Crocodile it is the most numerous and widespread, reaching from the Atlantic to the Pacific in parts of Mexico down well into South America. There are also populations in Cuba and Jamaica. They are very large reptiles, with some older males reaching lengths of over fifteen feet. Crocodiles can slow their rate of digestion during cold weather and go many weeks without eating. Like many of the world's large crocodiles, their conservation status is considered endangered due to overhunting and habitat loss.